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Blaye River Cruises

About Blaye

If you’re taking a river cruise which explores France’s beautiful Bordeaux region, then there’s every chance you’ll visit Blaye on your travels. Blaye sits on the Gironde River on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, and is around 35 miles north of Bordeaux. If you’re travelling inland, it is the last river port you’ll visit before the Gironde converges with the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The town started off life as a port occupied by the ancient Gaul tribe the Santones and was formerly known as Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce until its name was shortened to ‘Blaye’ in 1961. The Frankish hero Roland is said to have been buried in the town’s basilica, where the famous citadel now stands. Indeed, the citadel is key to the town’s history, as it played an important role in the wars against the English and Spanish.

Exploring Blaye

The main attraction in Blaye is undoubtedly the ruins of its aforementioned 17th century citadel, which is set in the rock beside the river and was built by France’s leading military engineer at the time, Vauban. Along with the town’s walls and its two Forts – Pate and Medoc – the citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it also holds within its ruins a gothic chateau, which houses the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of river cruise excursions typically offer a guided tour of the castle, on which you’ll get to learn all about its fascinating history.

If you find yourself with a little more time to spend in Blaye, then another popular attraction within walking distance of the citadel is the Chateau Marquis de Vauban winery. Here, visitors can sample vintages from the Medoc region and tailor their visit to suit and the winery offers guided tours, wine-tastings, a wine-grower’s lunch and for something a little different, horse carriage tours of its picturesque grounds. If you want to make viticulture the focus of your visit to Blaye but feel like something a little more personalised, then Villa St Simon offers a number of private tours.

Blaye tips

Unsurprisingly, Blaye is a great place to sample a vintage red or two but it also boasts quite a large number of quality restaurants for its size offering all manner of authentic French cuisine on their menus.

Blaye Itineraries

Blaye

Beautiful Bordeaux

15 sailing dates October 2023 to October 2024
10 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

Second Guest Sails FREE!* Includes flights and overseas transfers (prices already include discount and are per person)

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £2989pp
Blaye

Beautiful Bordeaux with Paris

1 sailing date September 2023
12 Nights From Paris, to France , Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo CALL
Paris

Bordeaux Affair with Highlights of Paris

1 sailing date May 2024
9 Nights From Paris (Honfleur), to France , Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3959pp
Lyon

Ultimate France - Bordeaux to Arles

15 sailing dates March 2024 to October 2024
21 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Arles
Uniworld River Cruises logo FROM £9089pp
Bordeaux

Brilliant Bordeaux - Bordeaux to Bordeaux

34 sailing dates October 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

Early booking offer!

Uniworld River Cruises logo FROM £1999pp
Bordeaux

Taste of Bordeaux

71 sailing dates October 2023 to November 2025
7 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux

CALL US now for secret sale reduced prices

AmaWaterways logo FROM £2259pp
Bordeaux

Bordeaux Affair - Bordeaux to Bordeaux

9 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
7 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3369pp
Bordeaux

Savour the Flavours of Bordeaux to Bordeaux

1 sailing date October 2023
7 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3499pp
Lyon

Iconic France - Lyon to Bordeaux

6 sailing dates June 2024 to September 2024
20 Nights From Lyon , France to Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £10179pp
Bordeaux

Bordeaux Affair - Bordeaux to Paris

3 sailing dates May 2024 to October 2024
17 Nights From Bordeaux, France to , Paris (Honfleur)
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £9159pp
Salamanca

Beautiful Bordeaux - Bordeaux to Madrid

1 sailing date May 2024
23 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Spain , Madrid
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £11579pp
Vernon

Gems Of The Seine - Paris to Bordeaux

5 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
17 Nights From Paris (Honfleur), to France , Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £9159pp
Saint Emilion

Iconic France - Bordeaux to Lyon

4 sailing dates April 2024 to October 2024
20 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Lyon
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £10159pp
Paris

Gems Of The Seine - Bordeaux to Paris

8 sailing dates April 2024 to September 2024
20 Nights From Bordeaux, France to , Paris (Honfleur)
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £10329pp
Pauillac

Beautiful Bordeaux with Madrid -Bordeaux To Madrid

7 sailing dates April 2024 to September 2024
13 Nights From Bordeaux, France to Spain , Madrid
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4929pp
Saint Emilion

Beautiful Bordeaux with Highlights of Paris

5 sailing dates June 2024 to September 2024
12 Nights From Paris (Honfleur), to France , Bordeaux
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4659pp

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